internet

Have you ever been told “You shouldn’t have posted that on Facebook.”? Did you not understand why somebody would think what you posted was inappropriate? Welcome to the fight between those who are connected and those who aren’t. In this fight, there are those who adapt with technology, and those who get left behind.

If I could get sad just for a moment here… Recently, my father passed away. Unfortunately cancer took him from us way too early. After spending an early afternoon in tears. I felt a need to post “R.I.P. Dad” on Facebook. To me it was a message to him, not just friends on Facebook. I got it out there and it made me feel better. It also let others know of his passing, which had been expected for a while.

I thought nothing of this post until the next morning when I received a call from my cousin saying “That is not a very personal way to mourn.” Not only does this strike me as bizarre that somebody would think Facebook isn’t a way to communicate such things, it strikes me as bizarre that somebody would call to tell me how to mourn the loss of my father.

My cousin will never understand this though. It’s people like this who think of the Internet as a toy. To them, the Internet is only a thing people use in their spare time. But to people such as myself who are connected, we use it as an extension of our life. Why wouldn’t I post something about the most important event in my life right now?

I understand there are some things that shouldn’t be said online. Bullying, saying something negative about your boss, or anything that may get you into trouble should be avoided. But when it comes to things like death, it’s no longer taboo to use technology to communicate. Heck, I haven’t even gotten a call from friends or family regarding my father’s death. They have all emailed, texted, or posted their condolences on Facebook, and that’s perfectly alright with me.

From my post on Facebook, I have been showered with love and inspiring guidance during this rough time. I appreciate all of it. I feel bad for the people who don’t get it though, the ones who can’t learn to accept the Internet and social networking as a tool that enriches your life, no matter the scenario.